Friday, May 23, 2014

DRESS THE PART

I've heard that if you want to be successful in business, it is important to "dress the part" - you know, kind of visualize yourself in the role already, play the part, do a little self-actualization.

Do you want to be a fit and trim athlete, but you are nowhere near fit and trim? Don't head to the gym in the saggy sweatpants with holes in the knees and the stained t-shirt you wear to mow the yard. Get yourself some good shoes, a sports bra, and a pair of stretchy pants. It'll do wonders for your motivation.

You want to get into the local gossip loop with the old men at the coffee shop? Do not show up tomorrow morning wearing skinny jeans, a tight tank top, and spiked hair. I guarantee the old timers will not open up to you about town secrets - they may not even let you pull up a chair at their table.

I would really like to be a successful writer. Successful as in have an agent, and a publisher, and a national marketing campaign, and substantial sales. So, I've given a little bit of thought to "dressing the part." But I have a question: what does a successful writer look like when she goes out in public? Honestly, I have no idea.

Baby steps. Several months ago, I decided that, as often as possible, I would take the time to actually put on make-up before heading in to town. I don't have a fun, funky, writerly wardrobe, so I made small commitments in the clothing department: no more running to Troy in the shorts I wear to work in the garden, and if I wear flip-flops, my toenails will be painted. No shirts that are too snug around the middle (why do all my shirts keep shrinking?), and I'll shave my legs at least once a week.

I can't tell if the whole "dress the part" exercise is helping or not, and sometimes, it's a frustrating challenge. Pretending to be - and to look like - a successful writer doesn't really mesh with my other jobs and activities. Like today...

Exercise class first thing this morning at the fitness studio in Troy - I want to get fit and healthy, so I show up at Caroline's at 7:30 every weekday morning. I dress the part: athletic shoes, stretchy pants, support under garments, water bottle.

Back home after exercise class, I have just enough time to plant the cantaloupe in the garden and finish mulching around the young melons before heading out to Martin. Gardener. Dress the part: gardening shorts, the shoes I wear for yard work, a tank top that I wouldn't be caught dead in out in public.

After an hour of sweating profusely in the garden, it's time to run inside, shower, and change clothes so I can drive Helen to a piano audition. As the mother of an incredibly talented pianist, I suppose I should pull on nice slacks or a skirt. However, on the way home from the piano audition, I also have to run by the library, pick up more mulch at the garden center, stop by Wal-Mart for groceries, get gas for the van, and make a quick stop at the feed supply store for a couple more t-posts.

Forget the skirt. I chose a clean pair of jeans and a not-too-snug shirt, and my fancy red flip-flops. Thankfully, my toenails were already painted.

Anyway, all of this to say: as a mom (aka, fitness queen, cook, gardener, music supporter, library patron, gas station attendant, farm girl, professional shopper, writer, blah, blah, blah), I can't figure out how on earth to "dress the part" without having to go through half a dozen changes of clothes in a day.

This would-be writer wears jeans and t-shirts. Why? Because on my way out the door to meet the public, I very well may have to take a detour to chase my ridiculous chickens out of the garden. Or I may have to stop and load bags of mulch into the van or get gas for the lawn mower or drop a greasy car part off to be tested at the auto parts store.

I really do want to "dress the part," but I just can't figure out which "part" to "dress." This is as tricky as juggling cats.

4 comments:

Anonymous
said...

You should get a bunch of brightly colored Indian saris! You could even get a few turbans for special occasions! That way you could look amazing and glamorous everywhere you went..and we could get an elephant to ride and just get rid of the van. I'm really liking this idea...

Having lived near Music City for about 24 years now, I am often witness to the sight of ubiquitous entertainers/celebrities in these parts. When they are out and about town as civilians, they dress as such. The only time you see them gussied up is when they are on stage or in front of a camera. Except for Dolly Parton, who occupies her personna 24/7. Watch some old PBS, Larry King, and C-Span interviews of authors. Writers frequent The Daily Show quite often. You'll get the idea. Besides, you're already a celebrity, and people love what they read and what they see when you are around! David

I would say -- wear what suits your lifestyle and preferences -- but invest the time and money (ha, i know) to find pieces in which you feel not only comfortable, but confident. IE -- a really well-cut pair of jeans -- the kind that you put on and think, "I look good in these!". A casual, flowy top with a pattern that you choose because it makes you happy. IMO what makes a good writer is the ability to communicate a unique perspective in a way that really connects with a wide audience. You don't want to dress like "Ms. Writer." You want you clothes to say, "I'm CAMILLE -- writer, gardener, Co-op shopper, mother, chicken lady -- and I have something to say."

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Wish You Were Here: Letters From the Foot of the Cross

It is difficult to imagine that someone with an ideal family, a Ninja body, and a six-digit income can relate to my messy life in the middle of a hay field: my pants are too tight, my marriage is stressed, and my closets are a disaster.

But the truth is, life is messy...whether you look like you have your act together or not. If you are struggling in the trenches of life with muck up to your eyeballs, then you and I have something in common. Welcome!

This collection of "letters" explores the practical implications of the gospel for the nitty-gritty business of everyday life. Join me on a journey to discover strength for the day, encouragement to persevere, and flashes of joy to brighten the way.